Cory's paintings to be granted copyright

source: abs-cbn

MANILA, Philippines - The late President Corazon Aquino's paintings will be issued copyright certificates by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) in celebration of the 11th World Intellectual Property Day next week.

In a press statement, IPOPHL director-general Ricardo R. Blancaflor said they "will issue the maiden copyright registration certificate in favor of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) in a ceremony at the IPOPHL on April 29...These certificates will cover the paintings created by the late President Corazon C. Aquino."

On April 26, the 11th annual World Intellectual Property (IP) Day, Blancaflor said they will be celebrating the "creativity of the Pinoy as we listen to his music, read his prose and enjoy the fruits of his inventions and innovations."

"As we join the world in celebrating World IP Day, we at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines are here to promote respect for and protect the Pinoy talent. We want to see that talent bear fruit, gain recognition and earn just remuneration," he said.

The IPOPHL also announced that the "Copyright Registration and Deposit System (CoRDS) will be fully operational by June 2011, after IPOPHL has completely transferred to its new office in Taguig City."

"With the launching of CoRDS, IPOPHL will begin accepting applications from artists, scholars and all copyright stakeholders in behalf of the National Library of the Philippines (NLP). This project is the long-awaited fruit of a Memorandum of Agreement signed by the NLP and IPOPHL last January 25, 2011," the IPOPHL said.

"Although registration is not the source of copyright, the process is legally required in order to complete the records of the National Library. In addition, IPOPHL magnifies the value of the copyright certificate by requiring the applicant to execute an affidavit of ownership, which will be reproduced at the back of each certificate. This serves as prima facie evidence of ownership and may be used in any proceeding," Blancaflor said.

The IPOPHL-NLP partnership "aims to modernize the system and provide this once Manila-based service to other areas where Intellectual Property Satellite Offices (IPSOs) are located, namely, Baguio, Tuguegarao, Angeles, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Davao, General Santos and soon in Tacloban."

source: abs-cbn